Brazil media praise 'beautiful' Bruno Guimaraes but are less complimentary about Newcastle United teammate
Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton will now return to Newcastle United ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Newcastle United duo Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton both featured in Brazil’s surprise 3-2 defeat to Japan on Tuesday.
Guimaraes was named in the starting line-up while Joelinton was among the substitutes as the former picked up where he left off by registering another assist.
Guimaraes set up Estevao’s opener in Friday’s 5-0 win over South Korea and assisted the opening goal today as Paulo Henrique put Brazil 1-0 before Gabriel Martinelli doubled the lead.
But in the second-half, Brazil surrendered their two-goal advantage. Takumi Minamino pulled one back before Carlo Ancelotti made a triple change in the 57th minute, with Joelinton replacing his Magpies teammate.
Moments later, Keito Nakamura levelled for the hosts before Ayase Ueda completed the comeback.
Brazilian media rate Bruno Guimaraes & Joelinton performance v Japan
After being handed 7.5/10 for his display against South Korea, Globo Esporte gave Guimaraes the same rating versus Japan, commenting “Another good performance from the midfielder, who is gaining prominence for the national team.
“Just as he did against South Korea, he provided a beautiful assist for the first goal. He was also important in marking, with interceptions. He came off early in the second half, in the first round of substitutions, and the team felt his absence.”
But the same publication was less complimentary about Joelinton, awarding him 5.5/10.
“He had the best chance in the 22nd minute, after a good triangulation with Cunha and Rodrygo, but he was off balance and finished poorly,” Globo Esporte wrote. “He also had a weak shot from outside the box in stoppage time.”
Eddie Howe on ‘hard’ Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton trip
Guimaraes and Joelinton had trouble linking up with Brazil due to aeroplane malfunction en route to South Korea.
The pair endured a brutal 30-hour trip after problems with their flight out of Amsterdam. As per Globo Esporte, a broken window on the plane forced the flight to turn around. Both players then travelled separately.
While the pair’s trip to Asia ultimately ended in disappointment, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will be relieved that both players have come through unscathed ahead of Saturday’s Premier League visit to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Speaking after the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest last time out, Howe said: “I'm glad I'm not going with them [to South Korea and Japan]! We had a quick chat at the end of the game.
“What those players do to play for their country is they have to travel those kinds of distances. I know it sounds easy, you're going to play for your country, you're going to fly halfway across the world. It's a privilege, don't get me wrong, the players know that but it is hard. It is hard on their brains, their bodies.
“What I love about those two individual players is when they come back to us after those journeys, they come back with such a passion to play for the club again. They're pleased to be with their teammates. They're really focused on what we need to do. They're not reflecting back on what they've just done. Incredible people. I hope they return safely and in the condition that they've left.”